8kw Tesla Charging (A Complete Guide)

Last updated on April 18th, 2023 at 11:17 pm

Two parameters define many electrical activities; voltage and duration. These qualities go together at all times.

When you want to charge an electric car, you should consider the amount of electrical energy you will get and the time needed to achieve this electric charge.

You need to charge your electric car to keep it running. The time required to achieve a particular charge depends on the charger’s capacity.

The 8kw Tesla charger can last for as long as 8 hours before it attains the fully charged status. The 8KW Tesla charger is a level 2 charger that provides superfast charging compared to other chargers with lesser potential.

In this article, I’ll highlight everything you need to know about charging your Tesla at 8kw. In the end, you’ll learn more about 8kw and how long you can charge your Tesla.

Is It Ok to Charge Your Tesla at 8kw?

It is ok to charge your Tesla at 8kw. However, at this charging level, your car may need up to eight hours of charging time to be complete.

Most car dealers advise a safe margin for your car battery is 90%. 

Your car dealer gives this directive because when you use the 8kw charger, the electric energy the charger supplies to your car is the level two charge.

A level two charger transmits electrical energy from a stationary hardware unit or an outlet wired to your vehicle. This electrical energy is hardwired into the vehicle through a connector.

In the level two charging system, 208 to 240 electrical energy is transmitted in every charging circuit.

With an 8kw charger, you can achieve more charging speed in less time. For example, a level two charger’s typical charging time would be around eight hours.

The quoted time of eight hours is when your Tesla battery moves from zero percent to a hundred percent charge.

With the 8kw level 2 charger, your Tesla car will be connected directly to the electrical system via a specific socket. 

This specific socket and plug make up a dedicated circuit for the car and the electric system. 

The 8kw charger delivers a high amperage, and this electrical power makes it suitable for your Tesla. 

In addition, you can install the level 2 charger at home and in your office for quick access to electric charging.

A level 2 charger can provide up to eight hours of charge with up to 70 miles of distance covered per hour.

There is no risk involved with using the 8kw charger: it is ok to use the 8kw charger on your Tesla car. However, it is best to maintain a healthy charging circle.

A healthy charging circle maintains that you charge your battery for up to 90%. Many car dealers would also suggest that you keep it from falling below 30 % of the charge.

How Long Does It Take to Charge Your Tesla at 8kw?

It takes about eight hours for your 8kw charger to charge your Tesla completely. So the 8kw charger would deliver up to 240V in eight hours.

With this amount of electrical energy, your Tesla can run up to 200 miles without needing another charge.

You should have the electric vehicle supply equipment to use the 8w charge for your Tesla.

You can install this equipment in your house, or you may need to approach a service station to charge your Tesla.

The electric service equipment supplies AC, and your Tesla battery receives only DC. The electric service unit converts the Alternating current to direct current to charge your battery.

In other instances, electric vehicles have an in-built converter that can change the current they receive before charging the battery.

DC-powered batteries facilitate faster charging than AC-powered charging. In addition, some electric cars can accept AC and DC without converting them.

The charging time of an electric car is the maximum duration with which the car requires to attain full charge.

The charging time depends on several factors battery capacity, power density, and charging power.

The 8kw charger is a level 2 charger capable of providing a charging power of up to 240V. With 240V, the expected time of complete charge is 8 hours.

Depending on the battery’s capacity, the time taken to attain full charge may differ. For example, with a high battery capacity, an 8kw charger would only last for 8 hours. 

How Long to Charge Your Tesla to 80% at 8kw?

The time taken for an 8kw charger to achieve an 80% charge depends on some factors.

These factors include the capacity of the battery to retain charges and the size of the amp.

For a 32 AMP 8kw charger, it will take about 48 minutes to achieve a 10% charge. For an 80% charge to be achieved, you may multiply 48 minutes by 10.

In this way, you would have the accurate time required to reach 80% percent. For you to have an 80% charge, you will have to charge for up to 6 hours.

To have an accurate charging session, you must have standard connections at every stop. The electric supply equipment comprises a socket outlet, a plug, and a cable.

Another component of the electric vehicle supply equipment includes the connector and the vehicle inlet, which is built into the vehicle.

To have a quick charge, each component of the charging system should correspond to the charging capacity of the 8kw charger.

Pros and Cons of Charging Tesla at 8kw

Here are some reasons why you should opt for an 8kw charger and what disadvantages they may have.

#1. Pros of Charging at 8kw

Fast Charging: The 8kw charger provides a high energy voltage to your tesla car. The voltage supply is you to 240V in a single charging session.

This energy supply implies that you will charge your battery fast on the 8kw charger.

High Energy Delivery: The high energy delivery on the 8kw charger means that vehicles could cover more miles per hour after an 8kw charge.

#2. Cons of Charging at 8kw

Not Suitable for some car types: The 8kw charger is unsuitable for some energy sources in the electric supply unit. 

Tesla 7kw Vs. Tesla 8kw Charging Which Is Better?

When you want to choose between the 7kw and the 8kw charger, you have to look out for some of the peculiarities of both chargers.

There are some factors you should consider before picking any of the chargers. First, although both are level 2 chargers, they do not have the same properties.

Here are some factors that differentiate the 7kw chargers from the 8kw chargers.

• The energy requirement of your vehicle
• The distance you intend to cover
• How fast can you charge?
• What is your source of energy?

#1. The Energy Requirement of Your Vehicle

Electric vehicles also have energy requirements. For your Tesla, there are three primary energy tiers.

The most miniature energy-demanding vehicle is the medium electric vehicle.

Other tiers include the large electric vehicle and the SUV electric vehicle. Depending on which of these models you own, your choice would depend on this fact.

The 8kw charger is well suited for the extensive SUV electric vehicles. These vehicles need a higher energy requirement.

The 7kw charger supplies lesser energy than the 8kw charger.

#2. The Distance You Intend to Cover

The greater the distance you intend to cover, the greater your need for a more efficient charging system. The 8kw charger provides a more efficient charging system than the 7kw charger.

If you intend to drive your car for more than 68 kilometers per day, you would need an 8kw charger to provide a high voltage electrical charge to the batteries.  

#3. How Fast Can You Charge?

If you are in a hurry and need to fast charge, then you need an 8kw charger. The 8kw charger is faster than the 7kw charger. However, both chargers are level 2 chargers.

The 8kw charger would deliver a full charge faster than the 7kw charge. However, attaining a full charge may take up to 8 hours.

In the case of the seven kW charger, the charging time may be longer than 8 hours. On the other hand, the level 2 charger provides a full charge for 8-12 hours. 

#4. What Is Your Source of Energy?

The electrical service unit that provides the charges derives its electrical energy from various sources.

Familiar sources of energy include solar energy, gas, and electrical energy. These energy forms provide different levels of energy. The most familiar source of energy is electric energy.

The highest forms of energy are provided by electrical energy. A high-voltage charger best transmits this energy.

Solar energy and gas produce low-voltage energy, and the 7kw may be suited for transmitting these forms of energy.

This table highlights the difference between the 7kw and 8kw and which of them you need to pick the 8kw charger over the 7kw.

Requirement	7kw	8kw
Energy requirement	Less energy requirement	High energy requirement
Distance coverage	Lesser distance requirement	Greater distance coverage
Source of energy	Best with gas and solar energy	Best with electrical energy
Duration of charge	Longer duration lesser charge	Shorter duration for better charge